It all started with graduate Billy Chavez and senior Dedreck Tonsing. They both came across a video on Youtube where a college band was performing a very precise routine using trombones. Many college trombone sections have performed the infamous “Trombone Suicide”. The precise moves and accurate timing is key in the performance.
“A couple of us volunteered to follow-through with the Trombone Suicide. We thought if would be pretty cool to perform it to the school and at games,” said junior Rafael Soto.
When the students finally told band director Jeremy Ford, they were very excited and anxious as to what he would say. Not only were expensive instruments on the line, but the students’ physical well being.
“I remember I drove into the school parking lot and found my trombone section outside waiting on me,” said Mr. Ford.
“I was very worried not only for them but for the trombones themselves. If they messed up just one move, then the trombones would get damaged and trombones are very expensive instruments,” he said.
Other than that, Mr. Ford thought the idea was pretty cool and could be something new to contribute to the band.
“I thought it was actually pretty cool. It would have been nice if I had that opportunity when I was in my high school band,” said Mr. Ford.
The boys had countless practices before school and before a performance. At there first performance the boys were really nervous. A lot of thoughts were going threw their minds. Not to mess up, not to trip or fall, stay together with the music.
“I always look forward to the deafening roar of the crowd. To see the crowd get into what we do makes me feel like I’m a part of something cool,” said Soto.
The Trombone Suicide has now become a big part of the pep rallies and all the games. The student section always looks forward to watching them perform.
“What’s so neat about our school is that our section can be cheered on just like our Silver Stars and our cheer girls do. The demographics of the section are crazy. We have tall, short, skinny, big, and we pretty much have all the colors of the rainbow,” said Mr. Ford.
The school has many traditions and the Trombone Suicide is one of its many amazing tradition.
“Our sophomores do not get to do the Trombone Suicide because they have contest but when contest is over we will differently get them started,” said Mr. Ford.
The section really benefits from the performances.
“It’s really fun and it makes us better as a trombone section sort of like a family,” said Tonsing.